03-05-2025
Civil rights groups promise litigation in response to social studies standards
OKLAHOMA CITY (KFOR) – Two civil rights groups have now promised 'action' after lawmakers did not act on the new social studies standards, meaning they will eventually be implemented.
The two groups include Americans United for Separation of Church and State and the Oklahoma Appleseed Center for Law.
Oklahoma families, not politicians or public schools, should decide if, when, and how children engage with religion. If implemented, these new social studies standards will violate students' and families' religious freedom by promoting Christianity and advancing Christian Nationalist disinformation. Not on our watch. We are preparing to take the steps necessary to protect the religious freedom of all Oklahoma public school students and prevent these standards from undermining public education in Oklahoma.
Americans United for Separation of Church and State and the Oklahoma Appleseed Center for Law
They were also a part of a lawsuit which eventually led to a temporary halt to Supt. Walter's Bible buying for Oklahoma classrooms.
Senate and House republicans are asked why they didn't act on school standards
It was in March when the Oklahoma Supreme Court temporarily blocked State Superintendent Ryan Walters and the State Department of Education from purchasing Bibles and Bible-based lessons for Oklahoma schools.
The court barred OSDE from issuing any new requests for the purchase of Bibles. The ruling also places a temporary hold on a request for proposals seeking a supplier for Bible-based curriculum.
The ruling came after the Oklahoma Office of Management and Enterprise Services, the state agency that oversees RFPs, asked the court to issue a stay because of the concerns about ongoing lawsuits and the possibility of new legal challenges.
There is no litigation filed just yet regarding the standards, but the two groups said it is more than likely would come when the standards go into effect.
The standards won't officially be applied to schools until the 2026/2027 school year. Contracts to find textbook suppliers begin later this year and last until next year.
Meanwhile, lawmakers have continued to push for some accountability when it comes to Supt. Walters and him using tax dollars for legal fees/legal counsel.
'He's communicating to the Republican caucuses that's making them feel comfortable about these standards, because our continued concern about those standards at their age is inappropriate, politically charged. And there are so many religious undertones,' said Rep. Cyndi Munson.
News 4 reached out to OSDE for a response to the potential for this litigation, but didn't hear back.
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